EP3 signaling and how it affects insulin-producing beta cells in type 2 diabetes
The role of G protein-dependent and -independent EP3 signaling in beta-cell compensation and diabetes
This project looks at whether blocking EP3 signaling can help insulin-producing beta cells work better for people with or at risk of type 2 diabetes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11321685 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are studying a molecule called the EP3 receptor and its partner protein Gαz to understand how they change insulin-producing beta cells in type 2 diabetes. They will use tissue from human donors alongside laboratory models to see how EP3-driven signals affect insulin release, cell survival, and cell growth. The team will test whether blocking EP3 or altering related signaling helps beta cells make more insulin or increase in number. Results will help determine if EP3 could become a target for future treatments to support beta-cell function.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with type 2 diabetes or those at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes would be the most likely candidates to benefit from this line of research.
Not a fit: People with type 1 diabetes, other causes of insulin deficiency, or advanced irreversible beta-cell loss may not benefit from therapies aimed at EP3 signaling.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that boost beta-cell function or numbers, improving blood sugar control or slowing progression of type 2 diabetes.
How similar studies have performed: Prior lab and animal studies, and analyses of human donor tissue, suggest blocking EP3 signaling can increase insulin secretion and beta-cell growth, but this approach has not yet been tested as a patient treatment.
Where this research is happening
Madison, United States
- University of Wisconsin-Madison — Madison, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kimple, Michelle E — University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Study coordinator: Kimple, Michelle E
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.